Open your Garden

The trail aims to showcase ALL types of growing spaces, not just ‘show gardens’. We’re all learning – and the trail is for anyone wanting to learn about growing food in their backyard, you don’t need to be an expert.

“Hosting for the Illawarra Edible Garden Trail is an incredibly fun and rewarding opportunity – imagine spending a weekend sharing what you’ve learnt on your gardening journey and meeting other growers & like-minded folk, who you can swap knowledge & resources with, as well as inspiring people to embark on their growing journey or try something new”

Emily Fowler, Program Coordinator

What to expect as a Garden Host

• Open your garden for one or two days, from 10am-3pm, of the weekend which your suburb falls (the trail is run over 2 weekends)
• Enjoy getting your hands dirty – garden like you usually would – don’t change a thing! We want to see gardens in their natural state
• Connect with other growers & gardeners – share tips & tricks, pool resources and workshop your gardening challenges
• Come along to our annual Host Get-Together – share a meal, meet the other hosts & volunteers, and revel in the joy that is community connection
• Inspire others to grow food in their own backyard – visitors will range from no gardening experience to seasoned green-thumbs – you’ll get to share your learnings and gather wisdom from others

“Gardeners are too humble – no garden is too small, whacky or ‘unimpressive’ – all gardens, from backyards with chickens running amuck, pokey courtyards full of colour, balcony pots & planters, sunny verges, or school or community gardens, we want to see them all!“

– Emily Fowler, Program Manager